Ann Hayashi, Declared Brain Dead, Passes Away After Organ Donation

Spokesperson: "Peacefully Remove Life Support"

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On the 5th (local time), Hollywood actress Ann Hayshi (53), who lost consciousness in a traffic accident, donated her organs and passed away after eight days. According to local media including The New York Times on the 14th, Hayshi's spokesperson Holly Beard said, "A recipient for the organ donation was found, and the life support was peacefully withdrawn."

Hayshi had expressed her intention to donate organs several times during her lifetime. The bereaved family explained, "Life was temporarily maintained to see if her wish could be fulfilled." They added, "We lost a bright light, a kind and joyful soul, a beloved mother, and a loyal friend," emphasizing, "Her courage, always spreading messages of love on the side of truth, will have a lasting impact." Specific details regarding the organ donation were not disclosed.

On the 5th, Hayshi crashed her car into a house near her home in Los Angeles (LA). The car caught fire, and she was transported to the hospital with full-body burns, receiving a brain death diagnosis on the 11th. The police initially announced that drug substances were detected in her blood test, but later corrected that it could have been anesthesia administered at the hospital.

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Hayshi was a star who was very active in Hollywood. She debuted in 1987 with the drama 'Another World' and appeared in films such as 'Wild Game (1995)', 'Volcano (1997)', 'Donnie Brasco (1997)', 'Six Days Seven Nights (1998)', 'Psycho (1998)', 'Return to Paradise (1998)', and 'John Q (2002)'. She became known domestically through 'I Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)'.

Hayshi attracted attention as a famous same-sex couple by dating female broadcaster Ellen DeGeneres for three years. Their relationship became known when they appeared holding hands at the White House Correspondents' Dinner held in Washington DC in 1997. This was a time when homosexuality was not fully accepted in Hollywood. Hayshi later said in an interview, "Because of my relationship with DeGeneres, I was put on the 'blacklist' in Hollywood and was unable to work on projects for 10 years." Upon hearing the news of her passing, DeGeneres posted on social media, "Today is truly a sad day. Sending all my love to her family and friends."